Church of Scotland’s General Assembly 2015 reports now available online

The ‘Blue Book’ containing this year’s General Assembly reports from Church of Scotland Councils is now live on the Kirk’s website. The reports will be deliberated upon during the week-long annual gathering, which opens on Saturday the 16th of May.

This year’s Blue Book cover

Around 730 Commissioners are expected to attend this year’s General Assembly, where the focus will be on matters of social and national interest as well as on church policy and governance. Decisions made at the General Assembly often result in lasting changes to the church.

The day before the Assembly opens, 15 May, the colourful Ceremony of the Keys will be held at Holyrood Palace. At this traditional event the City of Edinburgh delivers the keys of Holyrood Palace to the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly.

This year’s Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly will be Lord Hope of Craighead KT PC, a distinguished retired Scottish judge who was one of the first Justices of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.Lord Hope will take part in a ceremonial procession on the morning of the first day of the General Assembly.

Highlights of the week include the Heart and Soul celebration in Princes Street Gardens from 1pm on Sunday 17 May. The theme of this year’s event is Living Stones, celebrating what it means to be living stones of faith in our communities and across the world. The programme of entertainment at the Ross Bandstand will include a launch event for the ‘Decade for Ministry’ vocations initiative at 4.45pm.

The General Assembly 2015 web page has a wealth of information:

This year’s Blue Book, “Living Stones,” which contains reports from all the church committees

The timetable of events and other information about the Assembly

A link to the General Assembly publications website where you can find all the committee reports, contact numbers and the daily Assembly papers

A handy app for Apple and Android smartphone and tablet users, with all the Assembly information as well as travel, accommodation etc

Glasgow Churches Together works closely with denominations, congregations and local ecumenical groups within the City of Glasgow and in adjoining areas within the Church of Scotland Presbytery of Glasgow and/or the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Glasgow.